Assembly proclaims March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, members urge screening

The California State Assembly adopted House Resolution 89, recognizing March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and urging awareness of screening options and early detection.

Assemblymember Patterson, the resolution's sponsor, summarized national and state statistics and the importance of screening: "Each year, roughly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed, and more than 50,000 lose their lives to this disease," she said, emphasizing that earlier detection greatly improves five-year survival.

Members offered personal testimony in support. The majority leader shared her daughter's experience with colorectal cancer and urged frank discussions about rectal bleeding and screening. Assemblymember Bonta recalled his father's death and highlighted a recently FDA-approved blood test as a less invasive screening option.

Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez used plain language to encourage outreach, saying, "Peek at your poo," urging members to use social media and everyday conversation to prompt screenings.

Clerk records show a co-author roll was opened and 70 co-authors were added. The chamber then adopted the resolution by voice vote; the presiding officer announced the ayes had it.

HR 89 is a recognition resolution intended to raise awareness; the floor record does not show any accompanying budget or regulatory directive. The Assembly printed the proceedings in the journal.